BRETT CONWAY JOINS DICKINSON LAW AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
August 2022 — Brett Conway enjoys learning new things. While finishing his Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) at the University of Pittsburgh earlier this year, he served an internship with Confluence Ballet Company, which embraces a vision to “create dance free from the constraints of racial inequity and stigmas surrounding body type.” The organization had recently moved to a new studio.
“I was not a ballet person when I joined, but I loved the art, so I had a bit to learn. At one point I was ordering pointe shoes. I did not even know what a pointe shoe was when I first started there,” said Conway.
He ended up learning about ballet shoes and so much more. “I did a ton of administrative tasks related to the new building, and I got to ask businesses for in-kind donations and build relationships with possible donors and connections in the area,” said Conway.
The experience taught him the importance of listening to donors’ visions and finding creative ways to help fulfill them. It is a skill he is already putting into practice at Penn State Dickinson Law, where Conway began his new role as assistant director of development on August 1.
He knew he wanted to work for a university after attending Millersville University for his undergraduate degree and then going to Pitt. “I am really passionate about higher education. People in higher education are excited to change the world, and I love their optimism,” said Conway.
He saw that excitement reflected during his interviews at Dickinson Law. “One of the things that drew me to Penn State Dickinson Law in the interview process was the staff. I was blown away by how passionate they all were about creating a more diverse and inclusive Law School,” said Conway. “Everyone here is actively working hard to create an environment that enables everyone to succeed. On top of that, it was apparent that there was a real sense of community between the staff.”
Conway looks forward to facilitating relationships between alumni and the Law School. “I am excited to help donors actualize the things they are interested in, their passions, in ways that can help current and future generations of Dickinson Law students,” said Conway.
The Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, native recently moved to Carlisle, where he is close enough to walk to his office at the Law School. He has visited the Farmers on the Square seasonal market in downtown Carlisle several times, and he feels eager to hear more about Dickinson Law and its traditions from alumni. “What has been done by Dickinson Law development over the past few years is amazing, and I am happy to be a part of that,” said Conway.
In his spare time, Conway is an active photographer who collects cameras that use film. He shoots with them, develops the film, and prints the negatives in a darkroom.